Method of quantifying fugitive emission rates from pollution sources

Abstract

Method of quantifying fugitive emission rates, such as those emanating from factories, office buildings, and the like. The method is characterized by its ability to quantify airborne fugitive emissions by defining a vertical profile of pollutant flux downwind of pollution sources. The method is thus a major improvement over conventional quasi-stack, roof monitor and upwind-downwind techniques of measuring pollutions. The method is characterized by its ability to quantify fugitive emission rates, regardless of source emission characteristics or topography.

I claim: 
     
       1. Method of quantifying fugitive emission rates from pollution sources comprising: A. gauging wind velocity and direction at an index point downwind of a pollution source;   B. outlining at said index point a pollution detection plane, said plane being oriented transversely with respect to the wind;   C. sensing pollutant concentration at a series of height intervals within the vertical and lateral confines of said pollution detection plane, so as to obtain integrated products of crosswind concentration and wind speed; and   D. displaying said products as a vertical profile of total mass flux of pollutant through said detection plane.   
     
     
       2. Method for quantifying fugitive emission rates into the atmosphere from pollution sources as in claim 1, wherein said outlining of said pollution detection plane is such that the vertical and lateral dimensions of said plane encompass a substantial portion of pollutant flux emanating from said pollution source. 
     
     
       3. Method for quantifying fugitive emission rates into the atmosphere from pollution sources as in claim 2, wherein said outlining is such that the vertical and lateral dimensions of said pollution detection plane coincide with said vertical profile of pollutant flux. 
     
     
       4. Method for quantifying fugitive emission rates into the atmosphere from pollution sources as in claim 2, wherein said index point is sufficiently close to said pollution source such that said vertical profile of pollutant flux in said pollution detection plane is similar to the vertical profile of pollutant flux at said pollution source. 
     
     
       5. Method of quantifying fugitive emission rates into the atmosphere from pollution sources as in claim 1, wherein said gauging of wind is at vertically spaced points adjacent said pollution detection plane and is aligned with the axis thereof. 
     
     
       6. Method of quantifying fugitive emission rates into the atmosphere from pollution sources as in claim 5, wherein said sensing of pollutant concentration at a series of height intervals is accomplished simultaneously at spaced vertical points within said pollution detection plane. 
     
     
       7. Method of quantifying fugitive emission rates into the atmosphere from pollution sources as in claim 6, wherein said sensing within the lateral and vertical confines of said plane is accomplished sequentially cross wind within said pollution detection plane. 
     
     
       8. Method of quantifying fugitive emission rates into the atmosphere from pollution sources as in claim 7, wherein said sensing is by lifting while moving sensing devices within the lateral and vertical confines of said pollution detection plane. 
     
     
       9. Method of quantifying fugitive emission rates into the atmosphere from pollution sources as in claim 6, including infra-red sensing of said fugitive emissions. 
     
     
       10. Method of quantifying fugitive emission rates into the atmosphere from pollution sources as in claim 9, wherein said infra-red sensing is correlated with elapsed time, as a measure of variation in fugitive emission intensity. 
     
     
       11. Method of quantifying fugitive emission rates into the atmosphere from pollution sources as in claim 10, wherein said infra-red sensing is correlated with both elapsed time and wind speed, as a measure of fugitive emission intensity. 
     
     
       12. Method of quantifying fugitive emission rates into the atmosphere from pollution sources as in claim 5, including comparing downwind quantifying with similar upwind quantifying so as to relate incoming pollution with apparent fugitive emission rates. 
     
     
       13. Method of quantifying fugitive emission rates into the atmosphere from pollution sources as in claim 5, wherein said sensing of pollutant concentration is accomplished sequentially at spaced vertical points within said pollution detection plane. 
     
     
       14. Method of quantifying fugitive emission rates into the atmosphere from pollution sources as in claim 5, wherein said sensing at vertically spaced points within said pollution detection plane is by traversing said plane from side to side. 
     
     
       15. Method of quantifying fugitive emission rates into the atmosphere from pollution sources as in claim 14, wherein said traversing is at a speed such that the concentration of pollutant is approximately constant. 
     
     
       16. Method of quantifying fugitive emission rates into the atmosphere from pollution sources as in claim 14, including reorienting said pollution detection plane, according to changes in wind direction.